Federal law requires all J-1 and F-1 visa holders to carry health insurance. When your MSU student ID is activated upon your arrival, you will be automatically enrolled in Blue Care Network (BCN) of Michigan (www.bcbsm.com/msu) and the insurance premium cost will be charged to your Student Account. With this coverage, you’ll have access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians and affiliated health care professionals in the Blue Care Network of Michigan provider network. Providers can be located on the BCN website at www.bcbsm.com. BCN health insurance premium charges for a year or a semester can be found at MSU Human Resources Page. For VIPP participants, international tuition-billed students charges will apply.
Unless staying for a whole year, purchasing daily MSU Blue Care Network insurance is the most convenient option for VIPP participants. Costs vary depending on how many people are covered and the length of your stay. You can download a BCN health insurance daily enrollment form here. The following figures are from MSU BCN insurance's day-by-day rate.
Monthly (31 days) MSU Blue Care Network Health Insurance Cost (based on $6 daily rate per person, valid 8/16/2020 - 8/15/2021)
1. Participant only: about $ 186
2. Participant + Spouse/Domestic Partner: about $ 372
3. Participant + Spouse/Domestic Partner + One Child: about $ 558
4.Scholar + Spouse/Domestic Partner + Two or More Children: about $744
For more information on health insurance such as a member guide book and summary of benefits, visit MSU Human Resources Page or consult with your program coordinator.
Please note that before you arrive in US you must make a decision on your health insurance choice, sign this form and send it to us:
This video below teaches international students how to prepare for their arrival in the US, how the US healthcare system works and how students should seek medical care appropriately if they become sick or injured:
http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/us-healthcare-system-video.php
If you decided not to choose MSU student health insurance and purchase an alternative health insurance policy, you should apply for an insurance waiver in order to remove health insurance charges on your student account. In order to get waiver,
1. You must prove that your alternative policy meets the MSU minimum health insurance waiver criteria.
International Student Waiver Criteria
2. Please log in your STUINFO account with your NetID and password. Click on "Insurance Waiver" under the "Other" tab on the upper right corner. Complete the insurance waiver questions and send the following two documents to MSU Human Resources:
Where to send the documents?
It generally takes 2 weeks to review your application. You will receive the result by email. If your tuition bill is due before the application is processed, pay your bill first and get a refund later (if approved). Paying first avoids the accumulation of late fees.
Questions?
Please contact MSU’s Human Resources Solutions Center: